Choosing a wedding photographer. The Assistant/Second Shooter

It's 5pm on bank holiday Friday so I decided to put the breaks on searching for new business. Instead, I'll update the blog with some further thoughts for wedding couples, to the orchestral sounds of my little baby daughter's new found love for high pitch screaming. It's not that she's stressed, she's actually having fun! Good on her. Back to the subject matter of photography assistants and second shooters on the day. I don't use an assistant myself, but I did used to be one. I prefer to work alone as I feel I am experienced and thorough enough to capture the right moments as they happen, but it's another question a lot of couples increasingly like to ask me and there are many packages out there rom various photographers that come with a 2nd photographer. There isn't really a right or wrong answer here, it's often a matter of preference. It's fair to say that by having an additional photographer you do get more variety of angles during the service itself. There is also the benefit of splitting roles on the day. For example, one photographer shoots the bride, the other stays with the groom, whilst one is shooting the speeches, the other is capturing the reactions. If you are paying for high calibre photography then it is likely the assistant or second shooter comes with a great deal of experience and flair, but the majority of the time these are photographers that are learning on the job and won't deliver anywhere near the quality of the primary photographer's work. There is also the disadvantage that the photography can become a bit more intrusive on the day with two photographers running around instead of one. Don’t misunderstand me though, I think it;s healthy for the industry to offer this and some weddings do indeed need two photographers. I certainty wouldn't have progressed as far as I did in such a short space of time without the opportunity to go out and shoot weddings with another photographer as his assistant. All I am saying is that if one comes with your package then get a good understanding of exactly what you are buying into. Ask to see their individual work and get a good understanding of what they will be doing on the day. If you get the chance to meet them too then even better. As always, weddings aren't generally cheap events so it pays to do your homework as always. Have a great bank holiday weekend.